West Hartford, Conn. -- KK White (Indianapolis, In.) had a season-best 18 points, while Kiara Bell (Santa Rosa, Calif.) had 13 points and season-high 11 rebounds as the UMBC Women's Basketball team closed non-conference play with a 76-52 win at Hartford.

How It Happened:

• UMBC got the scoring started immediately as Laycee Drake (Hancock, N.Y.) grabbed the opening tip and took it in for an uncontested layup just seconds into the contest.
• White would hit a three to kick-start a 7-0 run that put the Retrievers up 11-4 just over four minutes in
• The Hawks fought back to trim the lead to 13-10, but Nia Staples (Cincinnati, Oh.) drilled a three to push the lead back to six
• Scoop Smith (Pemberton Township, N.J. had a late steal and layup as UMBC took a 22-18 lead into the second quarter.
• The Retrievers started the second quarter on fire, hitting 5-of-7 to start the frame as the lead grew to as much as 12.
• Hartford would again chip away, but UMBC continued to answer and lead 38-28 at the half.
• White led all scorers in the first half with 11 points
• The second half had a similar start as Drake had a quick steal and layup seconds in
• The lead would get blown open mid-way through the quarter when Keelah Dixon (Boston, Mass.) hit a three and Antonia May (Amsterdam, N.Y.) would hit a pair of layups shortly after to suddenly give the Retrievers a 20 point lead at 52-32
• UMBC would outscore the hosts 16-7 in the third quarter to take a 54-35 lead into the final ten minutes
• The game was never in doubt after that, as the Retrievers would lead by as much as 26 en route to the 76-52 win

Drake filled the stat sheet with nine points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. White and Smith each grabbed eight rebounds, while Ashia McCalla (Greenbelt, Md.) added seven points and three assists.

UMBC has a week off before welcoming Binghamton to The Peake next Thursday to begin America East play. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and fans can catch all the action on ESPN+